Portuguese is the third most commonly spoken language in Massachusetts (after English and Spanish), accounting for about 6% of the total population.

Unofficial sources within our communities estimate that numbers of Portuguese speakers in the state are considerably higher, based on service statistics, school enrollments and other data sources.

• According to recent estimates, there are about 84,214 people of Brazilian ancestry in Massachusetts, representing about 1.2% of the state’s population. The median age is 35 years old.
• There are about 270,183 people of Portuguese ancestry reported living in Massachusetts, making up 4% of the state population. The median age is 39 years old.
• The latest estimate indicates that roughly 70,000 people of Cabo Verdean ancestry live in Massachusetts, about 1% of the total population, with the median age being 36 years old.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019 5-Year Estimates; Ancestry and Population Data | Updated Nov. 2025 

Portuguese-speaking countries